Slow news day...
Okay, I’ve perused through the news this weekend, looking for the traditional Bush bombs (for those not familiar with this, the Bush Administration frequently airs their bad news on Fridays, typically a slow news day and not as likely to be picked up), and found the following.
The US Consulate in the Saudi port city of Jeddah was stormed. Are you blasé about this? Why?
Because if it’s about the Middle East, it’s *all* bad news *all* the time these days. The fact that we *aren’t* batting an eye at this news story shows we’ve got a much bigger problem.
With our national debt still out of control and the value of the American dollar continuing to plummet, we are now affecting the economy in other countries. To this I say, “We had a surplus before Bush came into office. It’s not that America doesn’t have the money to pay for its’ debts, it’s that the Bush Administration and Republican majority choose not to. It’s time to go back to school, boys and girls. *We* the American people know how to balance a checkbook. Would you like some lessons?”
Everyone’s getting ready to battle over the next round of Supreme Court Justice nominees. With the hubbub over Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-Pa) comments and subsequent belly groveling, Bush’s promise to his fundamentalist core to nominate someone anti-choice, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s (R-Tenn) comments last month before the Federalist Society that “one way or another, the filibuster of judicial nominees must end", we’re all getting a pretty clear picture that it’s going to be profoundly ugly. But before we proceed down a discussion of why filibusters are a good thing, let’s keep in mind one thing:
There were 10 – count ‘em – 10 blocked nominations out of more than 200 confirmed appointments. Ten blocked nominations, and the Republicans get their panties in a total twist. Doesn’t this sound oddly like a child throwing a tantrum about not getting their own way? It does to me.
Reality check: The Republicans didn’t win by 99%. They won by a little over half – barely. Filibusters are designed to protect the House Minority from having no voice at all. Deal with it.
“The filibuster is an important defense of minority rights, enabling democratic government to measure and respect not merely numbers but also intensity in public controversies. Filibusters enable intense minorities to slow the governmental juggernaut. Conservatives, who do not think government is sufficiently inhibited, should cherish this blocking mechanism. And someone should puncture Republicans' current triumphalism by reminding them that someday they will again be in the minority.” – George Will Newsweek
More on both side’s strategies to promote/fight against potential nominees:
I’ll put this out for you to decide. I haven’t researched this yet, but am wondering how much truth there is to it. According to several sources I read, the 9/11 intelligence reform bill throws in a great deal more than the 9/11 Commission report ever recommended. Follow this link to read more about what they’re saying:
Opposing the 9/11 Intelligence Reform Bill
To those of you interested in who may become the Democratic National Committee’s next Chairman, here is a list of candidates and a little bit about them:
Democrat's Pick for DNC Chairman Will Draw New Map for Party
Also, here’s a little bit more on Rosenberg, which I found interesting. It’s always nice to know more than just the name, isn’t it?
Of course, who can forget the Conservative’s attack against Howard Dean? After all, he’s a “tax-hiking, government-expanding, latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York Times-reading, Hollywood-loving, left-wing freak show…” Wow. No venom there.
One final note – here’s something worth mentioning because I’ve discovered this is not an uncommon strategy for fundamentalists to apply.
They put a false spin on an issue and stir the public against, in this case a school, without providing all the facts. Actually, they use moderates to promote their extremist cause, which I find offensive.
Take a look at this article to get an idea for how they’re spinning this story, and keep it in mind the next time you read an article that claims someone is going too far against teaching religion in school, etc. It’s better to know all the facts before sending outraged email to someone who very well could be trying to uphold the very principles you hold dear. I’ve never liked being played.
Intimidation Campaign Against Stevens Creek Elementary School
posted by Sarah Grimke @ 12:19 PM
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